The DX9 is the latest DAC from Chinese audio brand Topping – although it’s also an amplifier and headphone amp – and it’s now available in the UK. Thanks to its combination of proprietary technologies, it promises “amazing sonic performance” from a wide range of systems.
You can see it at work, too, thanks to its frosted glass window that reveals the circulation underneath. Each section is highlighted by a frosted glass, with the rotation illuminated by a soft orange light.
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The nanosecond speed of PSRM tends to introduce noise in analog audio signals, but this is accounted for by the Topping resistance output power supply, which ensures that each element of the DAC works with absolute precision. The result? “Extreme fidelity”, according to Topping, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 131dB.
Topping has created its own proprietary I/V conversion circuit to fully expose its PSRM DAC design. These include low-distortion op-amps with different characteristics to process signals with precision, and ensure focused audio performance.
This is followed by a fully balanced hybrid relay-resistor network, which delivers highly accurate volume control and eliminates channel imbalance at low volumes.
If you want to listen with headphones, you can use the 4.4mm output and 4-pin XLR, or the 6.35mm socket. Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA sockets allow you to connect the unit to amps and speakers.
Topping’s NFCA (Nest Feedback Composite Amplifier) version of the architecture promises to drive even the most demanding headphones, with power from its balanced headphone output rated at 7080mW per channel into 32 ohms and 10,000mW per channel into 16 ohms below, with a noise floorμμμμμμμ. Which promises dynamic, detailed sound.
You also get Topping’s PEQ (Parametric Equalizer) system, which lets you control frequency, gain and bandwidth across 10 bands. You can create sound profiles to load into the DX9 Discrete using the Topping Tune software on your computer.
DX9 Discrete also has headphone crossfeed – this simulates HRTF (Head Related Transfer Function) and room acoustics to make your cans sound like speakers.
It’s a great unit too, with multi-function rotary controls flanked by two color displays that can be customized using Topping’s Aurora UI.
And it’s yours for £1299 (approx $1750 / AU$2500). In the UK, it is sold by Electromod distributor.
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